Priyanka Chopra has replaced Aishwarya Rai in Rohan Sippy’s Bluff Master, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh.
And it seems Ash hasn’t been informed that she is being dropped from the film — on Friday, she told the press in Amsterdam (where she was attending the IIFA events) that she needed to get back to Mumbai in time to shoot for Rohan’s film.

This news comes after rumours that Ash is replacing Priyanka in and as J P Dutta’s Umrao Jaan.

No written contract

When told about the change in the Bluff Master cast on Saturday morning, Ash was shocked and disbelieving. “How can that be? I’ve finalised everything, given Rohan the dates he wanted.

Of course, I don’t have a written contract with them. But does one need to sign formal papers with friends?

Maybe I should be more practical and business-minded. Abhishek and I are here (in Amsterdam), talking about what fun it would be to shoot together again. And now this? No, there’s got to be some serious error in communication,” says the actress.

How could he do this?

By now, Ash is thoroughly upset. “I ran into Rameshji (Rohan’s father, producer Ramesh Sippy) and we spoke about the project. How could Rohan do this? We’re friends. We had so much fun doing Kuch Na Kaho.

That’s why I had absolutely no hesitation about being in Rohan’s second film.”

Master stroke

We asked Priyanka about what happened. “I’ve no clue if anyone was approached before me. All I’m concerned with is what I’m offered,” she says.

“Bluff Master seemed like a great deal of fun. Since some of the dates for Rakesh Roshan’s Krissh got cancelled (due to Hrithik’s injury), I decided to use them for Bluff Master. I’ll get to work with Abhishek for the first time, just as I’m working with Shah Rukh in Farhan Akhtar’s Don for the first time.

After Akshay Kumar and Arjun Rampal, I need to work with more co-stars who suit me. Was Ash really offered the film first? I wouldn’t know,” Priyanka maintains.

Roles interchangeable

Says Priyanka, “Roles are interchangeable in this industry. When Sajid Nadiadwala launched his post-Mujhse Shaadi Karogi film Jaan-e-Man (to be directed by Shirish Kunder), everyone assumed I’d be in the cast along with Salman and Akshay.

But when Preity was signed, Sajid had the decency to call me and express regret about it. That’s a rare gesture in this industry. No one gives a damn who gets hurt, as long as the deal is attractive enough.”

Stabbed in the back

Meanwhile, Aishwarya’s hurt is palpable. “I’ve always been thoroughly professional, and a true friend. How can my friends stab me in the back like this?” she asks. And then, in a saddened whisper, “Does Priyanka know what they’ve done to me?”